Ranking the Calgary Flames needs in the 2023 NHL Draft

Jun 21, 2019; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Jakob Pelletier poses for a photo after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 21, 2019; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Jakob Pelletier poses for a photo after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
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3. The Flames should be looking to add center depth

Much has been made this off-season already about the future of Elias Lindholm, who has spent the better part of the last five seasons in Calgary as one of, and now their top center, and with uncertainties around him and the rest of the center group, they need to start targeting the future. Mikael Backlund has been a presence on this team for over a decade now, and with his future also up in the air, a center with the No. 16 overall pick wouldn’t be the worst move, and with the rumours swirling around trades this off-season, the team may look to add another first round pick to help their depth.

Ultimately, if Lindholm and Backlund both re-sign, the Flames are set for the immediate future down the middle, but if they want to prioritize future success for this organization, finding an elite center that can grow with their young core is essential for Calgary.